“Open-source developers say they have changed the name of a podcast application after pressure from Apple Computer’s lawyers. ‘iPodder Lemon’ was a free application distributed under the General Public License, or GPL, that allows users to manage their podcasts–audio and video programs downloaded from the Internet to an MP3 player,” Karen Gomm reports for CNET News.
“The product supports more than 15 languages and has a built-in directory with thousands of podcasts feeds. It will automatically download new podcasts when they become available.” Gomm reports. “The developers say Apple’s legal team asked the open-source group to drop the name of the software as it suggested a connection to the company’s flagship iPod device. The developers have changed the name of the product to ‘Juice.'”
Full article here.
Garth T. Kidd, one of iPodder’s, er… Juice’s developers writes in his blog, “I’d rather not waste energy lambasting Apple’s lawyers for correctly pointing out that the first four letters of iPodder happened to exactly match one of their registered trademarks. As I mentioned at the time, it’s not like Apple could safely ignore us. Unlike satire or criticism sites, we’d created a product. It handles music. It puts things on iPods. On the Mac, it even looks shiny like iTunes. I don’t think we’d have lasted a day in court if we’d tried to fight. Fortunately for us, Apple’s lawyers were polite – almost to the point of being apologetic – and entirely reasonable. I’s not appropriate for me to go into the details of our arrangement, but I can say I don’t feel hard-done-by. Sure, I wouldn’t have minded not having to change our name, but that couldn’t really be avoided.”
Full article here.
Juice is free. More info and download links here.
Advertisement: The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music + video experience on the go. From $299. Free shipping.
iLawyers: intuitive, and user friendly, and play nicely with others.
And, they wear neckties to keep the foreskin from riding up over their chins.
Apple is no different than Microsoft. Funny how there’s no “MDN Take” on Apple’s selfish behavior. Now that Apple has bundled podcasting into iTunes, they (iPodder + others) have been effectively removed from the market. To add insult to injury, now they can’t even the keep the name.
Outta KoolAid,
Perhaps MDN’s take was not necessary because Garth Kidd explained it well. Obviously your intelligence level is below “average”, so I’ll explain it to you. I’ll try to use small words so you understand:
If Apple does not protect their copyrighted product names from ALL who attempt to use that name, they risk losing the rights to that name in general. They can’t go after “the bad guys” that try to co-opt the name iPod, yet ignore companies that they don’t think are hurting them.
See, that’s the way it works.
Now, wanna talk about Kool-Aid? As you may know, Kool-Aid is in reference to the mindless minions of Jim Jones in Guyana. They didn’t think for themselves, but rather followed him to their deaths by drinking tainted Kool-Aid.
Hmm, who is more a sheep? A person that sees that 90% of the computer market uses a crappy product, and decides for themself that they will use a better alternative, or a person that follows the 90% in lock step, not even taking the time to determine what is best for themself?
Drink that Kool-Aid, asshole.
Hey Jimbo, the asshole remark was uncalled for, seeming as you made your point eloquently enough. How ’bout cutting the kid some slack? Like … maybe dickhead instead.
On second thought, I think you’re right. Comment withdrawn. In fact, you’ve exercised remarkable restraint.
Col. Angus–
Funny… At first glance, I saw your name as “Col. Anus.” Then I realized it’s just short for “Cunnilingus.”
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What’s the makers of FileJuicer gonna think?
“and entirely reasonable. I’s not appropriate for me to go into the details of our arrangement”
Sounds like they were compensated somehow, but there’s a gag order on the deal. Wonder if they got cash, hardware, or some combination thereof?
Just don’t confuse me with cousin Annal.